Step into the timeless atmosphere of Hollywood nightlife landmark The Three Clubs and travel back in time to 1937, when National Marijuana Prohibition was first written into American Law.

Once Marijuana Prohibition was written into law, a mass propaganda campaign followed and continued for over a decade to criminalize Marijuana in the public opinion. A key trend of this propaganda was how the substance affected moral decisions and encouraged debauchery (The kind of debauchery many fun-loving people, then and now, actively pursue.)

Commissioner of Narcotics Henry Anslinger even targeted a certain group of people who were flagrantly violating the new law. What did these transgressors all had in common?

They had rhythm.

Many of the key geniuses of Jazz–Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway–were also avid Marijuana smokers. Sending a shock wave through the thriving era of early Jazz, Marijuana Prohibition was decisively influenced by the racism and fear-mongering of the time.

Marijuana Madness is a live show dedicated to telling the true story of Marijuana Prohibition and those musicians who were targeted by it.

Marijuana and Jazz were intimately intertwined since inception of this great American musical genre in New Orleans during the earliest days of the 20th century. These “devil’s weed”-loving musicians didn’t just smoke reefers—Marijuana was often described in lyrics under the guise of many slang terms, including Jive, Tea, Gage, Reefer, Muggles, and Viper just to name a few. Marijuana Madness combines a varied repertoire of Jazz songs about Marijuana with Burlesque and Theater to spin the swinging tale of Marijuana Prohibition and Jazz.

Marijuana Madness harnesses the art of Burlesque to parody these ludicrous claims that instilled a sense of fear in the public. Featuring Burlesque beauty Amber Marie, who has been captivating audiences in Los Angeles and abroad with her mesmerizing sex appeal. Amber Marie’s timeless beauty will transport you back in time with her performance. Her unforgettable performance embodies exactly the dangerous allure that those accidentally visionary anti-marijuana propagandists were warning against.

Also gracing the stage will be Miss Marquez who has been an innovator of Cannabis themed burlesque performances and serves as the Artistic Director of Marijuana Madness. Fully embracing cannabis culture, Miss Marquez is instantly recognizable in the burgeoning Los Angeles burlesque scene by her bright green locks, her outlandish cannabis-themed wardrobe (most of which comes off during her act), and the billowing clouds of smoke that envelop her signature appearances around town. LA Weekly cited Miss Marquez as the “Hardest-Working Woman in Burlesque” and a “superheroine of the art of the tease.”

Tying together the narrative of this tale will be international and award-winning burlesque emcee, Tito Bonito (aka Cuban Missile Crisis) who was named one of LA Weekly’s People of the Year 2016, and in 2017 took home the award for “most Comedic” at the Burlesque Hall of Fame.

The Band bringing the Jazz Era to life is the newly convened The Mad Reeefers. featuring some of LA’s most sought-after Jazz musicians. The band includes Willie McNeil (drums), Bill Ungerman (saxophone) Mike Boito (piano), Ollie Steinburg (bass). Notable credits include Bill Ungerman known for his writing and arranging in the swing band ‘Royal Crown Revue’, James Achor who was the co-author of the hit song ‘Hey Pachuco’, and the inimitable Willie McNeil who was the musical director of the famous Hollywood Burlesque club Forty Deuce.

Enjoy the Viper (V.I.P.) Experience Pre-Show at the Open Cannabis Bar presented by our partner Grassfed.
Free with purchase of the V.I.P Viper Ticket priced at $45.
General Admission without Open Cannabis Bar $35.

Grassfed aims to de-stigmatize Cannabis by offering a sophisticated way to consume and enjoy both its medical and recreational properties. They create and tailor elevated, cannabis-infused social dining experiences and events. Their approach to Cannabis is similar to how one might experience a wine tasting, highlighting the many distinct aromas, flavors of the wide variety of strains available. Grassfed has been featured in LA Weekly, Playboy, Vogue, InStyle, Civilized, the Huffington Post, and more.